Network and Computer Systems Administrators

IT Operations & Cybersecurity

Level 4451 of 1200 points

Job description

Network and Computer Systems Administrators

Job purpose

To install, configure and maintain the organisation's local and wide area networks, data communications, operating systems and physical and virtual servers, to monitor their performance and verify the integrity and availability of network and server resources, and to control user access, so that computing services remain available, secure and fit for purpose.

Skills

Extensive knowledge of computer hardware, systems and applications software and their configurations, network and server administration, operating system and network software design and testing, backup and disaster recovery, network security, and telecommunications including voice services. Bachelor's degree is the most common qualification, with about a fifth holding an associate's degree and a smaller group a master's, together with several years of related experience and on-the-job training.
Deals with a high volume of contact: confers with network users about solutions to system problems, gathers data on their needs, trains people in computer system use, and explains technical matters to non-specialists. Writes e-mail, letters and memos as well as logs and records, and coordinates with vendors over purchases. Users reporting faults are sometimes discourteous or angry.
Diagnoses, troubleshoots and resolves hardware, software, network and system problems, working from symptoms to cause where the fault is not apparent. Analyses network and equipment performance records to judge where adjustment, repair or replacement is needed and what future capacity will require, then recommends configuration changes with their implications identified. Decisions are frequent, taken under time pressure and affecting company results.
Plans, coordinates and implements network security measures, schedules and verifies backups and scheduled jobs, performs routine startup and shutdown procedures, and sets objectives for how the estate should develop. Determines own tasks and priorities, balancing planned change against faults as they are reported.
Handles and installs physical equipment: replaces defective components, tests hardware, loads tapes and disks, and installs software, printer paper and forms. Operates master consoles and works at a keyboard for long periods.

Responsibilities

No line management, though trains users in computer system use and coordinates with company personnel and vendors. Controls who may access the network and its resources, which carries authority over how colleagues can work.
Holds no budget. Analyses equipment performance records to determine the need for repair or replacement, specifies the hardware and software requirements arising from recommended changes, coordinates purchases, and maintains software licences. Authority to commit spend rests above the role.
Responsible for the network and server estate — hardware, systems and applications software, physical and virtual servers, master consoles and voice equipment — and for an inventory of parts for emergency repairs and the repair records.
Accountable for the integrity and availability of the organisation's systems and data. Performs backups and disaster recovery operations, reviews system and application logs, maintains network function logs and control records, configures e-mail and virus protection software, and implements measures protecting data, software and hardware. Privileged access to systems and user accounts is inherent in the role, and a failed backup or security control affects the whole organisation.

Effort required

Exacting attention to configuration detail, where a mistaken setting affects many users, and diagnostic reasoning about faults whose cause is not initially known. Sustains this against a high volume of contact by telephone, e-mail and face-to-face discussion, frequent decisions under time pressure, and a share of routine repeated tasks.
Carries the pressure of restoring service that others depend on, and deals with users who are at times unpleasant, angry or discourteous, calling for patience and self-control. Personally accountable for decisions affecting others' work.
Predominantly seated work at consoles with repetitive hand movement. No lifting or exertion is evidenced.

Working conditions

Indoor, environmentally controlled work throughout, with exposure to distracting or uncomfortable noise from equipment and to close physical proximity to others. No hazardous conditions or equipment, contaminants or protective equipment are evidenced. Psychosocial demand arises from dealing with dissatisfied users and from accountability for availability of service.
Most incumbents work a regular established schedule, though a substantial minority work an irregular pattern varying with production demands or contract duration; about half work a standard week and rather fewer work longer. Works with considerable freedom to make decisions and sets own priorities, under recurring time pressure and an expectation of technical currency.

Skills

40% · 263 points▾

KnowledgeLevel 5 of 8
90 of 144 points
Specialised and theoretical knowledge within a field of work and an awareness of the limits of that knowledge. The job requires a comprehensive range of cognitive and practical knowledge to develop creative solutions to abstract problems.
Interpersonal and communication skillsLevel 3 of 5
58 of 96 points
Effective communication and interpersonal relationships. The job holder is required to adapt communication to different audiences and foster trust, cooperation and positive working relationships.
Problem-solving skillsLevel 3 of 5
58 of 96 points
Variable problems. The job involves dealing with different kinds of problems that require careful thinking, research into different options or adjusting existing ways of doing things. Guidance and resources may be limited.
Planning and organisational skillsLevel 3 of 5
43 of 72 points
Moderate organisational skills required. The job requires the organising and prioritising of multiple tasks, with some level of adjustment to plans on the basis of changing circumstances or deadlines.
Physical skillsLevel 1 of 5
14 of 72 points
Minimal physical skills required. The job requires basic physical skills, such as handling light objects or using simple tools.

Responsibility

35% · 58 points▾

PeopleLevel 0 of 5
0 of 144 points
Does not apply. The job does not require any responsibility for people.
Goods and equipmentLevel 0 of 5
0 of 84 points
Not applicable. The job does not involve any responsibility for goods or equipment.
InformationLevel 3 of 5
58 of 96 points
Moderate responsibility for information. The job involves managing information to ensure it is accurate, of high quality and secure. The job holder may make decisions about the handling of sensitive data.
Financial resourcesLevel 0 of 5
0 of 96 points
Not applicable. The job does not require any responsibility for financial resources.

Effort

15% · 89 points▾

Mental effortLevel 3 of 5
36 of 60 points
High level of mental effort. The job involves frequent concentration on complex tasks that require considerable mental effort, such as interpreting complex data.
Psychosocial and emotional effortLevel 3 of 5
43 of 72 points
Moderate psychosocial and emotional effort. The job requires the regular management of emotional responses, such as dealing with sensitive or challenging individuals or situations.
Physical effortLevel 1 of 5
10 of 48 points
Minimal physical effort. The job involves light physical tasks, such as occasional lifting or moving light objects.

Working Conditions

10% · 41 points▾

Environment (physical, psychological or emotional)Level 2 of 5
34 of 84 points
Occasional exposure to hazards or stress. The job involves occasional exposure to mild physical risks (e.g. working with light machinery, occasional noise) or psychosocial risks (e.g. occasional interpersonal conflict or minor repetitive tasks). Exposure occurs two to three times a year.
Organisational environmentLevel 1 of 5
7 of 36 points
Minimal organisational demands. The job requires standard working hours with no night shifts or irregular schedules. There is little or no need for travel or digital connectivity beyond typical working hours.